Ohio teens arrested after staging armed-robbery prank on mom for YouTube

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) -- A Cleveland Heights teenager and a group of his friends are facing charges after staging an armed robbery of the teen's mother.

Police say the 17-year-old's idea of playing a prank on his mother was to conspire with three of his friends, put on ski masks and confront the 40-year-old woman in her driveway.

Investigators say the suspects ordered the woman into her house, where they pointed a gun at her head, told her to get on the floor and demanded her money. The 17-year-old staged a fight with the "intruders," and his terrified mother ran out of the house.

In a 911 call, the teen told a dispatcher, “I just did a fake robbery prank on my mom and she ran. I know she called the police. She's nowhere to be found."

The 17-year-old then explained why he called 911, telling the dispatcher, "I just don't want the police to come here aggressive, if you get what I'm saying.”

At the same time, a homeowner on a neighboring street called 911 to report that a woman in distress was hiding on his porch and asking for help.

The teenager told investigators that he actually videotaped his mom being terrorized as entertainment for his YouTube channel.

The 17-year-old and one of his friends are facing juvenile charges. The two adults who allegedly took part in the stunt, 19-year-old Isaiah Welch and 18-year-old Jeramy Perry, are facing charges that include inducing panic.

Investigators say the only weapon found at the scene was an Airsoft pistol.